Art | Andrea Mai

TIME X SPACE, NO MATTER – NEW WORKS BY ANDREA MAI

I once heard an interview where a friend of Prince was saying that Prince told him, that many of the songs in his vault, are works that he was creating work for the future. He was writing all these songs that he knew that the people weren’t “ready for”. And this is the way I feel about my own work. Because in some ways, I am living in the future. Sometimes I get dates mixed up, thinking that we are days farer than we really are. I’ve been told, that although what I am experiencing seems pretty crazy, it will become the new normal in the future.

So I don’t fear judgement, because I know what I now is real, and others just don’t know about what I’ve seen or heard. That’s ok, my life wasn’t meant to be “typical”.

The truth about time and space, is that there is none. It is only that we lie in this Matrix, that we experience such. Once released from one’s earthly body, there is only consciousness, time and space becomes irrelevant. The distance that twin flames feel, being apart from each other, is merely an illusion. We are together at all times, there is only lack of awareness.

This week, I did a photo shoot to express these ideas. I created an image of Prince’s face in the stars for the projection. The image of the stars comes from last year, when I was capturing images of the night sky in the French countryside. It is rare that I ever get to see the stars from where I live.

LOVE U FOREVER – NEW WORKS BY ANDREA MAI

Tomorrow is Prince’s birthday. In honour of that, I am publishing these new photos. In his later years, due to his beliefs, he didn’t celebrate birthdays. And funny to me, neither did I (call it a twin soul parallel). At my house, the occasion would only be marked with a meal out. We keep these things low key. As a philosophy, I prefer to forget about one’s age. It’s not important, because age doesn’t necessarily correlate to soul growth or maturity. And in turn, perhaps this way of thinking suspends the concept of time and aging. Time is an illusion, after all.

The magenta peonies in my garden came into full bloom last week. I decided to do a photo shoot. These flowers mark the beginning of the summer, and they’ve been blooming annually ever since the day I was born. I’ve always loved the colour magenta. I recently learned that the colour symbolizes non-conformity, originality, ad creativity. Perhaps this is why I love it so much. It’s one of those colours that require a certain amount of boldness to wear confidently.

One day, I was reading a paragraph that was describing Prince as an artist. He was described as “controversial”. It made me realize that my work is controversial, because I speak openly about my experiences that many people might not believe. To that, I say, take it or leave it. As the viewer, you can choose to just enjoy the art as merely a visual concept. If you think my background story is too fantastical, then consider it like an urban legend. It’s not up to me to decide what you should believe.

Originally, the idea of Prince shown in a heart shape was inspired by the closing scene from Under The Cherry Moon. But I was later inspired by one of my all-time favourite British Vogue covers. The one with Sophie Dahl sitting in front of a giant pink heart. It also reminds one of when Prince used to perform on stage with a giant heart during his Sign O’ he Times era. It shouldn’t come to any surprise to know that when I channel Prince in drawings, he is often drawing hearts.

LOVE FROM THE OTHER SIDE – NEW WORKS BY ANDREA MAI

I never thought that I would be making art where I was at the centre of it. I was always a very shy person, who kept to herself. I don’t like to draw unnecessary attention to myself. I had always preferred to be the one behind the camera.

Some time ago, Prince suggested that I watch Frida, the movie made by his friend, Selma Hayek, about the painter, Frida Kahlo. It is a magnificent movie. So beautifully made. And at the same time, I could see from it, how Prince felt in real life sometimes. Frida could never be loved the way she wanted to be loved by Diego. He loved her as an artist, but not the kind of deep, unconditional, soulful love that she was looking for from him. Frida made paintings that were portraits of herself, depicting her different states of being throughout the years. She shared her inner most being in her paintings, she was baring her soul on canvas; and unapologetic about it.

Sometimes people accuse me of things like making such claims about my connection to Prince, to gain opportunity or make money. They don’t read about what I have to say, they don’t care to know. They only want to accuse. This is hurtful at times, because it is the furthest thing from the truth. I loved him before I even knew it was him. And when he left this world, I was strangely mystified. I had never paid any attention to him, asPrince (the musician) before. It was as though the universe had blindfolded me, not allowing me to know of him, until now.

My work has evolved in that I have chosen to be deliberate in using symbols to convey ideas in my self-portraits. The windows are a symbol for seeing into another world, the other side of the veil.

In the beginning, when I first recognized that Prince was present, I didn’t know if I could adequately communicate with him telepathically. Actually, I was not sure of what was going on exactly. So I decided to write to him. I kept a notebook where I wrote him letters, just in case I wasn’t making myself clear in my thoughts. I would ask for signs from him. I would choose symbols like butterflies and the colour purple. Eventually, I could see him clearly in my mind’s eye, and sometimes, he would bring me flowers.

SIGNS, DESTINY, AND AURAS – UPDATES FROM ANDREA MAI

Last month I was in my local discount department store. That morning I felt this urge to go there, not for any particular reason. It was just a quiet whisper telling me to go. I do loe these kinds of stores, the bargain hunt, not knowing what you might go home with. I walked into the book and stationary section, turned around and staring right at me what this book, Prince, front facing on the top shelf. As if it was deliberately placed there, waiting for my arrival. It’s moments like those where I feel reassured that what I know to be true in the spiritual, does manifest itself in 3D reality. I haven’t read it yet. It’s a bit weird for me to read about Prince. It’s like if you were reading about a close family member from a stranger (while your loved one was hovering over your shoulder).

April was a strange month for me. I felt drawn down, like I was trapped, free in my own cage, but in a difficult space. I felt like a toal failure as an artist, not having gotten anywhere with my work on a business level. It’s all well and fine to make work and put here on a website, but not enough to make a career. I decided to be completely upfront about who I am as a person, telling it as it as it is in my artist bio. A psychic empath who has glimpses into the other side, the other soul half of one of the worl’s most beloved rockstars. The truth is, if we really wish for human consciousness to rise, we must not be afraid to acknowledge our psychic abilities and other worldly experiences publicly. I felt a lot better after I rewrote my bio page. I wouldn’t say I go around openly telling people about my experiences, but I will answer if I am asked, and the truth is here for anyone who wishes to see.

From time to time, I will go through the artist opportunity listings for submission calls. They are mostly for group shows. There was a call for artists to show at my local library system; they exhibit a new artist every month at the different locations. I noticed the deadline for application being April 21. A sign that I must apply, the date of Prince’s rebirth into the spirit world. A month later, I received a letter telling me that my application wasn’t selected. I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. But no matter, I must carry on. A few days later, I received a message about the library needing artwork for a location that they just renovated and to notify them right away if I were interested. Of course I was interested! A few emails and a meditation later, we worked it out and I received a letter saying that my work was selected. I am absolutely thrilled to say that I will be showing in February of next year in Toronto.

What’s more is that I messaged Starla to tell her of the news, because one year ago, she had predicted that I would have a show. She told me she saw white space and large photo prints. She reacted joyfully to the news, recalling that she remembers vividly what she saw; white spaces, huge windows and lots of light. Actually, she never mentioned the huge windows to me. But she was correct. The newly renovated library is top to bottom windows, filling the space wth lightness.

Some things are predestined. Never doubt that what’s yours will come to pass.

Recently, I started to notice more and more that I was seeing colours, energy patterns swirling through the air. I had noticed it before, but it was mostly faint and I never paid too much attention to it. It was becoming more apparent in its intensity. I was seeing people’s auras. I started to look into my own in the mirror. I noticed an orb that hovers over my right shoulder. Sometimes it appears as white with flickers of blue light, like a hologram, and other times indigo and purple. It is Prince. Usually I find him in my mind;s eye, sweetly looking over my right shoulder. One night I was sitting in bed. I saw his orb in deep purple floating across from me, inviting me to stare at him. Suddenly I saw his orb playfuly bouncing on my bed like a basketball (he loved to play) and floating around the room.

Observing auras and seeing energy is still new to me. Recently I was in a situation where I was in a room with people involved with the law. I saw the aura of one lawyer and it was a sickly brown. A sign of illness and negativity. I was a bit stunned, but not surprised. I had never seen a brown aura before, because the ones I’d seen were always bright and vibrant.

People says things and lie. But you can never hide your energy.

Image above: “Prince Book” by Andrea Mai.

THE LOVERS CARD – NEW WORKS BY ANDREA MAI

One of my initial methods of communication with Prince was with oracle cards. Later I learned the Major Arcana tarot cards. I enjoy the complexity and the flexibility that the traditional tarot offers. So many different meanings can be conveyed in these cards. I don’t necessarily use it in keeping with the defined meaning of the cards, but rather, I allow the symbols in the cards to give me a narrative to answer the query. I will usually do a shuffle and fan out the cards, allowing Prince to move my hand to the card he wants me to select. I am often quite stunned by his selection of the symbols he chooses, because they are often so perfectly fitting. Then I might hear him telepathically to convey more information.

I find it kind of funny that we are using tarot for communication, because in his movie, Under The Cherry Moon, his character, Christopher, offers to do a tarot reading of the lead female character named Mary. They get into a confrontation and he hands her his business card that is the same size of a tarot card, and he says to her, “Here is your fortune, gilded in gold”. He kind of huffs at her and stomps off. It’s a funny scene from the movie.

I decided ho use the Lovers card from the Tarot as a symbolic prop for my latest photography project. I studied art history in school, and I like the idea of using props as symbols in portraiture to convey more than just appearances. In classical painting, you often find little trinkets and symbols hidden or embedded in a portrait. Although the Lovers card is typically known as being symbolic for choice and relationships. It’s an interesting card filled with other meanings. The male and female characters are like Adam and Eve. There is a God-like figure that hovers over them in the sky, as if to say that this is a divinely ordained connection, and there are two trees, perhaps symbolizing the tree of life and the tree of knowledge. To me, this card also symbolizes unity and connection with source creator.

SAKURA – NEW WORKS BY ANDREA MAI – CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN HIGH PARK

This week, the cherry blossoms at High Park in Toronto was in full bloom. This was a well-anticipated event, as last year, there were no blossoms. Spring time is my favourite time for going out to take photos. But whatever the seasons or time of day, I will always make it work in my photos. I know some photographers wait for a certain time of day and avoid other times. I don’t have the time or patience to work like that. I shoot when the mood strikes. Sometimes when you get on location, the circumstances are not what you expected or hoped for. In that moment, you just have to make it work. There weren’t as many blossoms as the year before, so to me this was a bit of a let down. But I always say, work with what you’ve got and make the most of it.

I love the Japanese style of photography. That is where the term “booked” came from. This is the term used to describe the soft blurry bits you see in the photo; normally used to focus on the main subject and blur out the background. I use a lot of depth of field in my work to create that dreamy look. I was inspired to create layers in my composition, layering the different types of trees for contrast. The result is a Jackson Pollock-esque paint splatter effect. The effect is further exaggerated by the wind, creating movement in the photograph. I don’t shy away from taking photos in the wind. Actually, I feel as though I am co-creating with nature when I just go with the flow.

DON’T HATE ME BECAUSE I’M FABULOUS – THIS IS WHY I’M CLOSING THE COMMENTS SECTION

I have decided to close down comments on this blog. This blog has grown tremendously in less than one year. But unfortunately, it also attracts the likes of spammers and haters. I do not wish to devote any more time to moderating comments. Thank you to those that have left kind, thoughtful comments in the past. Your support is very much appreciated, and I still welcome your questions and feedback. From now on, if you wish to connect with me, you must do so directly by email (spiritual matters are best discussed privately anyways). Please note that I will not respond to any hateful, disrespectful, unintelligible, or nonsensical messages that are sent my way.

For the record, I want to be very clear about this, I am not motivated by money or power. If I were, I would not be writing this blog. Sharing the kind of things I experience makes me vulnerable to false accusations and ridicule (and psychic attacks) by the public. But I am motivated by two things only, and that is Love and Truth. If I wanted to be famous on Instagram, believe me, I have the know-how to orchestrate such a thing. I know how the game is played. But I know what a life of fame without sincerity leads to, and that is, a shallow, wasted, meaningless life, devoid of authenticity and true expression. Fame without purpose is vanity. In the past, I have quit jobs based solely on principle. I could not work for a company that I felt lacked integrity. I refuse to contribute and put my energy into a soul-less cause. That is not what I came here for.

I am tired of this 3D world. I am tired of the tedious, (sometimes stupid) mundane things that a human must do to survive in the physical. If I were not motivated by Love and Truth, I would choose to leave. Why I ever chose to come out of the closet about my experiences, was to tell the truth about twin flames. When Prince showed up, I had no idea about what this connection was. I was not a fan of his. In fact, I have been oblivious to him most of my life. I thought perhaps, in spirit, he just came to be friends, like kindred spirits, sort of speak. But he expressed more than that to me. The feeling became mutual. And he later revealed our divine connection to each other. Twin souls. I had never heard of the term. I had only heard of twin flames. so I asked if they were the same thing. I was told, yes. And it became abundantly clear to me, that everything I ever read on the Internet about twin flames was untrue. I saw how harmful the disinformation was in those that believed what they read.

I’m not impressed by status, popularity, or authority, so these are things I would never be one to strive for. If these experiences happened with someone of no fame to speak of, I’d still be writing about it. I could of chosen to withhold the identity of my twin soul, but I could not have fully shared the details of my experiences. The stories would have become trivial, and I could not have shared documented evidence with you. There are many people out there, who have similar experiences to mine, but for whatever reason, they cannot go public about it. This is why there are not many documented cases of the twin soul phenomenon. I am interested in sharing the Truth with you.

On same days, it is hard, even for me to believe the kinds of things that happened to me. Momentarily, I am sucked back into the Matrix, ruled by logic and only what can be seen. It is a strange experience for me to read about Prince. He is often described as controversial. It is of some consolation to me, to realize that controversy is just something that comes with the territory. I am not here to convince anyone of anything. This is my corner of the Internet. I chose to freely express myself. I take no prisoners; you are free to leave if you do not like what you read. But you do not have the right to accuse me of being a liar and slander me. People hate what I have to say, and others are very jealous. Many people won’t believe me; I was forwarded (by Prince). But I know that Love will get me through this.

There is no doubt that I love Prince, for he is my twin soul, my cosmic counterpart. I chose to express it through my art. If you think that I am doing this somehow to attain fame or money, then you understand nothing about me, or how anything in this world works;, and you should question why it it that you come to such a conclusion. It is a human tendency that we accuse others of the very same things that we, ourselves are motivated by. Believe me, I have a hard enough time as an artist, let alone getting anyone in the art world to take me seriously. I could be very successful doing work as a commercial artist. But that is just not for me. My art is about self-expression, and Prince has become a major part of my life. This is my story. Take from it, what you will.

Image above: “Self-portait with Prince” by Andrea Mai.